The quartet of documentaries that Film Movement is separately releasing on September 26, 2017 is very true to the spirit of the international indie films that comprise the bulk of the Movement catalog. The common elements Movement films are that they provide insightful perspectives in manners that emphasize art over commerce.
The range of subjects in the September 26 non-fiction films also reflects the broad scope of Movement films. "Bite Size" examines childhood obesity from the perspectives of four teens battling that condition; "Documented" is the even more fascinating story of Pulitizer Prize winning journalist/undocumented American immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas. "In Country" shows that battle re-enactments are not just for Civil War buffs by telling the tales of folks who relive Vietnam War events.
The 2014 film "Sign Painters," which documents the lives of specialized commercial artists, is our topic du jour. The film opening with a montage of the "good stuff" that beautifies commercial districts provides the first sense that we are in for something good.
The broad brush approach to the topic encompasses the history of this art, the artisans who create the images that we see virtually everywhere we turn, and the impact of automation on this craft. These viewpoints additionally prompt greater appreciation of illicit cousin graffiti.
The following YouTube clip of the theatrical trailer for "Sign" introduces the aforementioned topics and provides a glimpse of the artistry behind presenting them.
The history aspect is relevant today in that the early days of distinguishing the manufacturers of products (e.g., flour) 150 years ago that gives birth to sign painting is a significant leap forward in the grocery industry in the same manner that the Amazon acquisition of Whole Foods is the start of a new manner in which the public obtains the consumibles with which to stuff its gullets.
Hearing veteran and rookie artisans discuss their craft surprisingly is much more interesting than watching paint dry. They all love their work, are a wonderfully supportive community, and have great stories. The tale of a 20-something woman whose career begins with the mother of a high school friend encouraging this budding artist by hiring this teen to paint a sign for her business encompasses most of the awesome aspects of the film.
This former high schooler is a novice sign painter struggling with one of her first professional assignments when a man on a bicycle rides up to offer advice, and pedals off into the sunset on achieving his mission.
Another memorable story is a kind and gentle account of the commerce of art. A veteran painter uses a direct comparison of his work to the (not much less expensive) products of two competitors to simultaneously show that you get what you pay for and that quality does not cost much more.
Demonstrating the impact of technology on the sign painting industry is another example of the film meeting the documentary ideal of equally educating and entertaining. The veterans discussing a lack of concern regarding the introduction of basic computers in the '80s hits home for many folks sharing early confidence regarding the inability of a machine to do his or her job. This subject then addresses how technical advances and a general desire to reduce expenses is behind sign painting being a dying art. An equally distressing aspect of this is showing how buying a sign with vinyl letters illustrates that you get what you pay for.
The bigger picture is that the aforementioned opening montage demonstrates the historic significance of sign painting. The name of a business or a product remains on the brick walls of many older buildings across the country sometimes decades after the proprietorship or company making the advertised good is no more.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Signs" is encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
The broad brush approach to the topic encompasses the history of this art, the artisans who create the images that we see virtually everywhere we turn, and the impact of automation on this craft. These viewpoints additionally prompt greater appreciation of illicit cousin graffiti.
The following YouTube clip of the theatrical trailer for "Sign" introduces the aforementioned topics and provides a glimpse of the artistry behind presenting them.
The history aspect is relevant today in that the early days of distinguishing the manufacturers of products (e.g., flour) 150 years ago that gives birth to sign painting is a significant leap forward in the grocery industry in the same manner that the Amazon acquisition of Whole Foods is the start of a new manner in which the public obtains the consumibles with which to stuff its gullets.
Hearing veteran and rookie artisans discuss their craft surprisingly is much more interesting than watching paint dry. They all love their work, are a wonderfully supportive community, and have great stories. The tale of a 20-something woman whose career begins with the mother of a high school friend encouraging this budding artist by hiring this teen to paint a sign for her business encompasses most of the awesome aspects of the film.
This former high schooler is a novice sign painter struggling with one of her first professional assignments when a man on a bicycle rides up to offer advice, and pedals off into the sunset on achieving his mission.
Another memorable story is a kind and gentle account of the commerce of art. A veteran painter uses a direct comparison of his work to the (not much less expensive) products of two competitors to simultaneously show that you get what you pay for and that quality does not cost much more.
Demonstrating the impact of technology on the sign painting industry is another example of the film meeting the documentary ideal of equally educating and entertaining. The veterans discussing a lack of concern regarding the introduction of basic computers in the '80s hits home for many folks sharing early confidence regarding the inability of a machine to do his or her job. This subject then addresses how technical advances and a general desire to reduce expenses is behind sign painting being a dying art. An equally distressing aspect of this is showing how buying a sign with vinyl letters illustrates that you get what you pay for.
The bigger picture is that the aforementioned opening montage demonstrates the historic significance of sign painting. The name of a business or a product remains on the brick walls of many older buildings across the country sometimes decades after the proprietorship or company making the advertised good is no more.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Signs" is encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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